Publications
Selected publications
A small-molecule screen reveals novel modulators of MeCP2 and X-chromosome inactivation maintenance
Lee H.M., Kuijer M.B, Ruiz-Blanes N., Ellen P.C., Aita M., Galliano L., Kokot A., Sciaky N., Simon J.M., Bhatnagar S, Philpot B., Cerase A*. A small-molecule screen reveals novel modulators of MeCP2 and Xchromosome inactivation maintenance. The Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders 2020 Nov 10;12(1):29. doi: 10.1186/s11689-020-09332-3 *Corresponding author.
In this work we showed that chemical inhibition of Janus Kinase 2 can lead to reactivation of genes on the X chromosome. In particular we showed that Janus Kinase inhibitors can lead to the reactivation of MeCP2 gene, the gene mutated in Rett syndrome. The outcome of this research can lead to new treatments for this rare and devastating disorder.
Phase separation drives X-chromosome inactivation: a hypothesis
Cerase A.*,π, Armaos A.*, Neumayer C., Avner P., Guttmanπ, and Tartaglia G.π. Phase separation drives X chromosome Inactivation: a hypothesis πCorresponding author. Nat. Str. Mol. Bio. 2019 May; 26(5):331-334.
In this paper, we suggest for the first time that Xist might use phase-separation to recruit repressive complexes on the inactive X chromosome. We support our claims using experimental data evidence and bioinformatic analysis of existing and new datasets. This model is now widely accepted.
Quantitative predictions of protein interactions with long noncoding RNAs
Cirillo D., Blanco M., Armaos A., Buness A., Avner P., Gutmann M., Cerase A* and Tartaglia G.*, Quantitative predictions of protein interactions with long non-coding RNA. Nature Methods, 2016 Dec 29;14(1):5-6 * Corresponding author.
In this work, using mixed bioinformatics and experimental approaches, we define 37 bona fide Xist interacting proteins. We believe that these proteins are the most-important players in X chromosome inactivation.
A Pooled shRNA Screen Identifies Rbm15, Spen, and Wtap as Factors Required for Xist RNA-Mediated Silencing
Moindrot B.*, Cerase A.*, Coker H., Masui O., Grizenhout A., Pintacuda G., Schermelleh L., Nesterova T.B., Pintacuta G., Brockdorff N. A pooled shRNA screen identifies Rbm15, Spen and Wtap as factors required for Xist RNA-mediated silencing. Cell Reports, 2015 Jul 28. *Co-first author.
In this paper we report the discovery of 3 novel master genes involved in X chromosome inactivation such as Spen, Rmb15 and Wtap genes. In particular Spen via Hdac3 triggers the observed histone deacetylation of the inactive X chromosome while Rmb15 and Wtap are essential for Xist m6A methylation, which is in turn essential for gene-silencing.
Xist localization and function: new insights from multiple levels
Cerase A.*, Pintacuta G., Tattermusch A. and Avner P. Xist localization and function: New insights from multiple levels. Genome Biology, 2015 Aug 15;16:166 * Co-Corresponding author.
Prediction of protein-RNA interactions from single-cell transcriptomic data
Fiorentino J., Armaos A., Colantoni A.x, Tartaglia G.G.x. Prediction of protein-RNA interactions from single-cell transcriptomic data. Nucleic Acids Res. 2024 Feb 14: gkae076. doi: 10.1093/nar/gkae076. xCorresponding authors
Prediction of Time Series Gene Expression and Structural Analysis of Gene Regulatory Networks Using Recurrent Neural Networks
Monti M.*, Fiorentino J.*, Milanetti E., Gosti G., Tartaglia G.G.. Prediction of Time Series Gene Expression and Structural Analysis of Gene Regulatory Networks Using Recurrent Neural Networks. Entropy 24(2):141 (2022). doi: 10.3390/e24020141 *Joint first authors
An integrated approach identifies the molecular underpinnings of murine anterior visceral endoderm migration
Thowfeequ S.*, Fiorentino J.*, Hu D., Solovey M., Ruane S., Whitehead M., Zhou F., Godwin J., Mateo-Otero Y., Vanhaesebroeck B., Scialdone A., Srinivas S. An integrated approach identifies the molecular underpinnings of murine anterior visceral endoderm migration. Dev Cell. 2024 Jun 2:S1534-5807(24)00332-0. doi: 10.1016/j.devcel.2024.05.014. *Joint first authors; xCorresponding authors
